Explosion Flattens House in West Milford, New Jersey, Injuring 5

HI INDIA NEWS DESK
WEST MILFORD, NJ — A devastating house explosion occurred in West Milford, New Jersey on Friday night, resulting in injuries to five individuals and the complete destruction of a residential property.

Reports of the explosion began flooding into the West Milford Police department around 9:15 p.m., with numerous 911 calls originating from the Banker Road vicinity within Upper Greenwood Lake.

Responding swiftly to the emergency, West Milford’s Fire Department, First Aid Squad, and Atlantic ALS teams embarked on rescue efforts, working diligently to extricate individuals trapped amidst the debris. The incident drew support from firefighters hailing from as far away as Paterson and Newark, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

In addition to the five victims who required hospitalization, a sixth person declined further medical attention.

The affected residence, situated at 53 Banker Road, was a one-story ranch-style dwelling that had recently changed hands, having been sold just the previous month. Preliminary findings suggest that certain portions of the house may have been undergoing construction or renovations at the time of the explosion.

This ill-fated property was nestled within the peaceful confines of the Upper Greenwood Lake neighborhood in West Milford.

Local residents described the incident as akin to an earthquake, recounting how the entire neighborhood seemed to tremble and shake as the house was engulfed in the explosive event.

West Milford is situated approximately 33 miles north of Morristown, New Jersey, and 48 miles northwest of New York City.

The precise cause of the explosion remains shrouded in mystery, and a comprehensive investigation is currently underway, spearheaded by West Milford detectives in collaboration with fire marshal offices at both the municipal and state levels, as announced by local law enforcement.